On a prior trip to Arizona I visited Arcosanti and absolutely loved it. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Arcosanti is "an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community, and environmental accountability," an experimental community. Because of that visit I made sure Andrew and I stopped by Cosanti when we were in Phoenix last June. Cosanti is an outdoor studio and gallery, a "sister" site. While Arcosanti is an hour north of Phoenix Cosanti is right in Paradise Valley; part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, and wealthiest municipality in Arizona (think McMansions with vast green lawns, quite the stark contrast to what you'll see here).
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From their website: "Cosanti is the vision of Paolo Soleri brought to life. The word Cosanti is the combination of Italian words cosa (“things”) and anti (“against”), thus describing the minimalistic and sustainable vision for Soleri’s arcological communities...Cosanti is the headquarters, foundry, studio, and gallery for Paolo Soleri Bronze & Ceramic Windbells & Sculptures. Cosanti has been the headquarters for this nonprofit educational organization dedicated to architectural research."
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Maybe because it was late on a very hot afternoon but the place was deserted.
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Yes, this structure really captured my imagination.
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It felt a little like we were trespassing, since there was no one about.
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The same construction methods were used here as at Arcosanti (read more about that here), but the spirit of the place just wasn't as uplifting.
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Not that it wasn't amazing, it was.
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It just didn't feel as vibrant, I'm sure it was the lack of people.
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Of course their signature bells were everywhere.
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Through those doors is the shop.
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There were scarves and jewelry as well as bells.
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And more interesting architecture.
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Of course there was an employee manning the shop, she was delightful to chat with. I'd still recommend a visit, but try to get up to Arcosanti if you can.
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Weather Diary, Jan 28: Hi 53, Low 35/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
From their website: "Cosanti is the vision of Paolo Soleri brought to life. The word Cosanti is the combination of Italian words cosa (“things”) and anti (“against”), thus describing the minimalistic and sustainable vision for Soleri’s arcological communities...Cosanti is the headquarters, foundry, studio, and gallery for Paolo Soleri Bronze & Ceramic Windbells & Sculptures. Cosanti has been the headquarters for this nonprofit educational organization dedicated to architectural research."
Maybe because it was late on a very hot afternoon but the place was deserted.
It felt a little like we were trespassing, since there was no one about.
The same construction methods were used here as at Arcosanti (read more about that here), but the spirit of the place just wasn't as uplifting.
Not that it wasn't amazing, it was.
It just didn't feel as vibrant, I'm sure it was the lack of people.
Of course their signature bells were everywhere.
Through those doors is the shop.
There were scarves and jewelry as well as bells.
And more interesting architecture.
Of course there was an employee manning the shop, she was delightful to chat with. I'd still recommend a visit, but try to get up to Arcosanti if you can.
Weather Diary, Jan 28: Hi 53, Low 35/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.